Are you thinking of cruising from Sydney? Or perhaps you are cruising to Sydney from other waters. Sydney Harbour farewells over 300 cruises a year; in December this year there are 48 arrivals or departures. Cruising has become one of Australia’s most beloved pastimes, and for those of you considering your first cruise, we have asked former travel agent and now travel writer Stephen Christopher to put together this comprehensive guide so you’re all sorted before you go.
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Welcome to your crash course in cruising from Sydney! We’ve got lots to cover. We’ll start with the two terminals in Sydney, including how to get there and where to stay pre/post-cruise. After that, we’ll go over the passports and visas stuff, followed by a guide on what to pack.
Then we’ll get into the cruise itself and talk about what to expect, including meals, money, shore excursions and what to do if you get sick.
Are you ready? Let’s go.
Sydney Cruise Terminals – All You Need to Know
Cruising from Sydney has become such big business, with so many cruise ships coming into our beautiful harbour that there are two cruise terminals. There’s the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay and the White Bay Cruise Terminal at Rozelle.
Check the Sydney Cruise schedule here
Overseas Passenger Terminal
Sydney’s original cruise embarkation point is the Overseas Passenger Terminal, located just below the Sydney Harbour Bridge and opposite the Opera House. Initially built in 1958, it has undergone two extensive renovations, one in 1988 and the other in 2010.
This terminal can turn over an average of 4,000 passengers a day.
Based on the east side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the terminal allows for ships that are too tall to pass under it to berth there.
How to get to the Overseas Passenger Terminal
The overseas passenger terminal is located conveniently right at Circular Quay in the Sydney CBD. It’s extremely easy to get here. Circular Quay railway station is just steps away, and the area is the main terminus for the light rail and buses from the city’s eastern and inner western suburbs.
Passengers from lower north shore or Manly can hop on a ferry that docks right next door. Parking isn’t available at the cruise terminal, but passenger drop-off is.
If you are flying into Sydney for your trip you can take a train directly from Sydney Airport to the cruise terminal at Circular quay.
Check our Sydney public transport guide for tips about getting around Sydney before and after your cruise.
White Bay Cruise Terminal
White Bay Cruise Terminal was opened in 2013 to help ease the burden placed on the Overseas Passenger Terminal due to increased demand for cruising out of Sydney. The majority of cruises that disembark from the White Bay Cruise terminal are domestic-bound.
Getting to White Bay Cruise Terminal
Most cruises that depart from White Bay terminal can arrange a transfer from your hotel to the terminal. Alternatively, there is a ferry for passengers only from King Street Wharf No. 1 at Barangaroo. Taxi or private car drop-off can be at the James Craig Road entrance, Rozelle. Like the overseas passenger terminal parking isn’t available.
Where to Stay
When departing from White Bay Terminal, Darling Harbour is the place to stay. There are loads of choices at all budget levels. Couple that with the ferry transfer from Barangaroo, and you couldn’t get a better start to your cruise holiday.
Luggage Storage near Sydney Cruise Teminals
There is no luggage storage at the Overseas Passenger Terminal so if you are looking for somewhere to store your luggage for a few hours or a few days before or after you sail you will find an affordable place to keep your luggage right under the train line at Circular Quay Station.
Bounce luggage storage has some of the best deals and a flat 3 minute walk from the terminal.
Passport and Visas
As you’re heading out into international waters (even if you’re doing a cruise around Australia), you’ll need your passport.
For those venturing further afield, you may require a visa. Australian passport holders are typically welcomed into many countries without a visa, especially in the South Pacific.
To be on the safe side, always ensure you have at least six months of validity left on your passport.
For foreigners disembarking from Australia, please check with the cruise company, your travel agent, or the embassy of the country you may stop at to be sure your documentation is in order.
What to Pack for your cruising holiday
Deciding what to pack when cruising out of Sydney depends on a few factors, and I’ve covered most of the necessary ones here:
Length of the Cruise
Cruises from Sydney can be anything from a weekend jaunt up or down the coast to a one-year round-the-world life on the sea.
Cruise companies have a more relaxed attitude, unlike airlines, which are strict about luggage. While the ‘suggestion’ is for you to bring no more than two suitcases weighing 32 kg each and a carry-on, you can usually take more if you please.
Most cruise lines offer a laundry service, and larger companies may even have self-service laundrettes on board, so you can factor that into the decision about how much to pack.
Destination
While your room on the ship will be optimised to be the most comfortable temperature for you, the most crucial decision comes to the clothing you’ll wear at the destination. If you’re on a South Pacific Cruise, the year-round warm and humid conditions mean you can leave your jackets and jumpers at home.
Alternatively, you’ll need to rug up if you’re cruising to New Zealand in winter or other cold places.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions are typical on most longer cruises. This also needs to be a consideration for what to pack. Comfortable walking shoes are a must; often, these day trips include climbing many steps or even a small mountain.
If you’re travelling to a destination during its rainy seasons, packing a hand-held umbrella is a savvy decision.
Dress Requirements for Meals
Some of the more high-end cruise companies have strict dress regulations in some dining rooms; jackets and trousers for men and cocktail dresses for women may be necessary to pack if you’re on one of these cruises. This may not apply to every meal, but it’s an absolute for formal nights.
There are also usually one or two theme nights, these will be detailed on your itinerary and generally everyone gets involved so even if you think it’s not for you it’s best to pack something suitable just in case you change your mind.
Activity-based Clothing
Most cruise ships have onboard activities, especially popular for days out at sea. From aqua aerobics to shuffleboard, there are numerous choices.
Check with the company before departure to determine what’s available and what clothing is required for each, and pack accordingly.
Cruise ship dining
An old cruising saying goes ‘You go on as a passenger but come off as cargo.’ The amount of food available means you’ll come home kilos heavier than you left. It’s one of the reasons cruises are so popular.
On every cruise, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price, and you can eat as much or as little as you like at each meal.
There are two main places to eat:
All Day Buffet
Open for breakfast and closing late at night, you can visit the buffet restaurant whenever you’re hungry, multiple times a day.
The buffet restaurant is a relaxed dining option. There are no formal nights, so you’ll be fine if you forget to pack dress clothes.
Main Dining Room
Mostly open only for breakfast and dining, the main dining room serves meals a la carte. Some cruise lines offer premium options at these venues with a small charge, but that’s clearly marked on the menu.
The main dining room is the venue of any formal night meals, so be sure to dress up on those occasions.
Casual Dining
It’s hard to find a ship that doesn’t have a pizzeria or a sandwich shop on board. Some companies include these in your package, and others charge for them.
Room Service
You are on a floating hotel, after all, so room service is most often available. Be prepared for some charges, mainly as a service charge, but some companies will expect you to pay for any delivered food, especially after midnight.
Looking for dining options in Sydney? Check out this article on the best things to eat and drink in Sydney.
Money Matters
A common concern for cruisers is how much cash they need to take with them. The good news is that it’s not a lot. Here are the primary things you need to know when budgeting what to take with you:
Paying Onboard
If you’ve booked an all-inclusive cruise, there’s not much that you’ll need any money for. If you are on a standard cruise, most ships these days allow you to charge everything back to your room and then pay the final bill at check-out. You may have to pay a security deposit initially.
Tipping and Gratuities
These days, a gratuity is often included in the ticket price. This is a fair way for all the staff to benefit from tips. If you experience outstanding service, you’re welcome to tip the person. Some companies, like Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Seabourn, have a no-tipping policy, so check this before disembarking.
Cash for Shore Excursions
The only time you may need some scratch money is for shore excursions. Many of the local vendors in these places will prefer to be paid in their local currency. The best idea is to withdraw cash from a local ATM. Some of the bigger cruise lines have ATMs onboard, but the fees are astronomical.
Shore Excursions
One of the many activities many cruisers enjoy are the shore excursions. These are usually conducted when the ship has docked at a foreign port for a period of 8 hours or more and offer an opportunity to take a guided tour of the destination.
If you plan to take one of these it’s advisable to book with the cruise company in advance as the most popular ones will almost always be sold out.
If you missed out of the official tours are not what you are looking for you can easily explore Sydney on your own. Just don’t venture too far away.
In Sydney you could:
- Take a ferry ride to Manly and a swim in the ocean
- Ride the ferry to Watsons Bay and walk out to South Head
- Walk across the Harbour Bridge and visit to the Pylon Museum
- Follow a self guided walking tour of The Rocks and some of its many pubs
- Request a meeting with a Sydney Greeter
- Book tickets for the Hop on Hop off bus
All of these outings are located close to the passenger terminal and very easy to do alone.
Just be very aware of the time you need to be back at the port. They won’t wait for you!
On Board Illnesses
Before boarding, you’ll need to complete a health assessment. Unfortunately, we all get sick, which happens often on holidays; all that relaxing and de-stressing will do that.
Most cruise ships have a medical centre, including a pharmacy, on one of the lower decks. They’re usually manned by two doctors and up to four nurses.
Over-the-counter medicine can be purchased, but they will be at marked-up prices. Perhaps bring some of your favourites with you!
Seasickness
Many first-time cruisers encounter a bout of sea sickness on board. This is easily treated with non-prescription pills that are often available at the purser’s desk.
Exploring Sydney before or after your vacation
If you are spending a few days in Sydney before your cruise or plan to visit Sydney at the end of your cruise these articles will help you explore some of the best Sydney and fill your itinerary.
- Book a tour of the Sydney Opera House
- Jump on the light rail and head to Chinatown to discover of the best Asian cuisine outside Asia
- Book a Local Sauce tour and find the city’s best spots for a drink
- If you have a longer trip book a day tour to the Blue Mountains.
There you go! You’re all set for your first cruise. Have a fantastic adventure.
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